Healthy Habits: Spring forward, everyone

Tuesday

Apr 8, 2014 at 11:56 AMApr 8, 2014 at 11:57 AM

By Betsy CrossMore Content Now

I have decided that ďSpring forwardĒ is going to be my own personal mantra for the next few months. Itís out with the old, making changes for the better and enjoying life with gusto. Care to join me?So that we donít get overwhelmed, it might be helpful to put all of our ambitions into one of three categories: Our Health, Our Surroundings and Our Relationships. In the spirit of inspiration and motivation, here are some ideas to consider:Our HealthStock up on allergy medications if sniffles and sneezes plague you as the weather warms up. Both Zyrtec and Claritin are now available over-the-counter, but be sure to consult with your doctor if you take other prescription drugs to avoid any potential problems.Shift your schedule so that you go to bed and get up earlier. US News and World Report reports that studies have shown that people who wake up earlier are healthier than those who sleep late. Of course, aim for a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.Take a walk during your lunch hour. Not only will you get away from your desk or out of the house, but youíll get some moderate exercise. Just be sure to wear your sunscreen. Donít forget insect repellent to ward off Lyme disease, EEE and other diseases. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using an insect repellent such as DEET (20 to 30 percent) or permethrin sprayed on clothing.Schedule your yearly visit to the doctor. If itís been a while since you had a full physical, eye exam and blood work done, call and make the appointment. Even if you canít get in right away, put it on the calendar and keep the appointment. Regular check-ups are a must to maintain good health.Eat your veggies! If you have a farmers market in your town, visit it each week. Some farms offer CSA programs, where you can pre-pay for a weekly supply of locally-grown produce. Not only does it taste better, itís better for you.Our SurroundingsClean out your makeup drawer, medicine cabinet and refrigerator and get rid of anything that has expired, has no expiration date or things that are so old, you canít remember when you bought it. Youíll minimize your exposure to bacteria that may cause infection or illness.Buy new pillows. After five years, up to 10 percent of a pillowís weight is made up of bacteria, pollen, fungi, mold and dust mites that can aggravate allergies and asthma.Get into the garden a few times a week. Weeding, planting and mowing the lawn not only make your yard look great, but it also burns up to 350 calories an hour, using muscles we never knew we had.Paint a room in your house a cheery color to boost your mood. Itís amazing how much a new color can change the look of a room. Have fun with it!Our RelationshipsThat walk you are going to take at lunch is a great thing to do with a friend. Itís an excuse to catch up and having a partner will help to make sure you actually take the walk.Build a strong social network by volunteering for a cause you believe in, joining a book club or getting in touch with a friend or family member that youíve not spoken with or seen in a long time. AARP says that people who have good social networks live longer. They are also physically healthier than people who are socially isolated.Betsy Cross is director of development for the Natick VNA, a nonprofit health care organization providing home care to thousands of people throughout MetroWest, Mass., each year. For more information, call the VNA at 508-653-3081.

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